Peter Yorke

Peter Yorke and His Concert Orchestra was a favorite on British radio from the 1940s to the 1960s, broadcasting light classical music and sophisticated jazz versions of popular numbers to a wide listening audience. Yorke was also a talented composer and arranger. He worked on early British film soundtracks and often contributed novelty numbers to comedy programs. Yorke became a skilled organist at an early age. As a teen he was appointed choir-master and organist at his local church. After graduating from college, he worked as a pianist and arranger for British bandleaders Jack Hylton, Henry Hall, Percival Mackey, George Fisher, and Jay Whidden. During the 1930s he grew tired of traveling and formed his own broadcasting orchestra. In 1936 he hired on as arranger with Louis Levy, one of the pioneers of British film soundtracks. In 1940 Yorke joined the RAF and was put to work in the broadcasting section. In 1946 he was released from the service and formed his now famous concert orchestra. Featured in the early line-up was famed U.K. saxophonist Freddy Gardner. Yorke's orchestra was still a popular part of the radio schedule when he passed away in 1966.